Drink TEA
Both green teas and white teas come from the same plant, the tea plant Camellia sinensis. The main difference between the two types of tea is that the white tea leaves are harvested at a younger age than the green tea leaves and White tea are tea leaves that are picked before they open fully, when the buds are still covered in fine, white hairs. They both undergo very little processing. White tea is not fermented at all, while green tea is partly fermented. By contrast, black tea is fully fermented. Because they are so gently treated, white tea and green tea retain their content of beneficial antioxidants.
Studies have shown that white tea has a concentration of antioxidants that is three times higher than in green tea. Essentially, white tea contains the same concentrations of antioxidants as the young and fresh tea leaf buds that are still attached to the bush. For comparison, one cup of white tea contains approximately twelve times as much antioxidants as fresh orange juice.
White tea contains less caffeine than green tea, about 15 mg per serving compared to the 20 mg for green tea. If caffeine tends to make you jittery, white tea may be the better choice.
Regardless of the processing method, each tea from the Camellia sinensis plant contains polyphenols, the phytonutrient thought to be responsible for tea’s health benefits. Tea actually ranks higher than many fruits and vegetables on a measure of antioxidant potency. However, the less processing a tea undergoes, the more of these polyphenols it will have.
One particular type polyphenol that has been getting a lot of press as of late are catechins. White tea has actually been found to contain higher catechin levels than green tea due to the fact that it is fresher, less processed, and is from unbroken tea leaves. Catechins are the compounds responsible for lessening atherosclerotic plaques, reducing carcinogens, reducing risk of stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes and for protecting the skin from UV damage and tumor formation, benefits attributed to drinking green tea. White tea has also been found to have more anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities than green tea.Studies examining the levels of gallic acid (a compound that has antioxidant and tumor fighting properties) in brewed teas found levels to be higher in white tea than green tea. White tea is also said to have more of the amino acid theanine, with its relaxing and mood enhancing properties, than green or black tea, since it is made out of young leaves and buds. White tea is thought to contain less fluoride than green tea, and this is a good thing. Overexposure to fluoride can lead to a condition known as fluorosis a mineralization disorder of the teeth characterized by ugly spotting on the tooth enamel. Also, green tea has been shown to actually increase metabolic rate so that you can burn 70 to 80 additional calories by drinking just five cups of green tea per day.
Replace sugar and milk with herbs or fruits! Try adding hibiscus, lavender, fennel, or fruits like blueberries and gogi berries. Just boil in your tea, strain, and enjoy!
(by santosbecks)
(Source: creepyteacharlie)
Tea Shelf | Design*Sponge
I just love this tea shelf, it’s so clever. I have a very poky kitchen and bench space is very precious. So attaching jars to the bottom of the cupboards is a great idea, freeing up some of that bench space. Brilliant!
I want this tea cup yorkie so much.
Why is everything so much cuter in small packages? In reality that dog is about as small as a can of drink….. CUTE
(via teapartyjesus)
The original Tumblr is
“Tea Party Jesus THE WORDS OF CHRISTIANS IN THE MOUTH OF CHRIST.”
I think this picture/quote is a good juxtaposition, and the click-through article is very interesting as well.
(Source: keepcalmandstruton, via alltea)
